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"They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - Marc Anthony - 08-19-2006
Introducing biological warfare on the packaged meats:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/18/edible.virus.ap/index.html
This could be totally harmless, but it seems a little scary to me, especially with that quote that makes it sound like the FDA can do no wrong and is actually looking out for the public health. This organization has let drugs come to market that have later killed people, and they also allowed the introduction of GMO's and chemical sweeteners into our foodstuffs without long term studies - several of which that have been banned in European countries.
Bon appétite.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - spearmint - 08-19-2006
No more Hammy and Cheese? I'll starve to death here in the basement.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - JEBB - 08-19-2006
It is a truely dangerous world for the clueless.
The first thing you need to do is equip yourself with some knowledge before you frighten yourself to death.
But it would be easier, and maybe you'll feel better, if you run off to the health food store and load up on totally untested 'natural' medicines.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - Marc Anthony - 08-19-2006
Why do you assume that I'm not knowledgeable or that I'm some sort of nut? Superiority Complex? There is no legitimate reason to alter food without the express knowledge and consent of the person buying it.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - AllGold - 08-19-2006
I find it astounding that we have the technology to do this.
As long as the virus doesn't mutate I'm ok with it. On the other hand, I'd rather see the meat prepared and packaged so it's bacteria-free--as currently required by law. I hope the development of this bacteriophage doesn't encourage sloppy production.
Then again, I almost never eat lunchmeat, hot dogs, or any other ready-to-eat meat anyway.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - PeterB - 08-19-2006
It's not much in the way of technology. You basically just use a bacteriophage that is lytic for Listeria (that is, it kills Listeria). Whether or not this is a good thing, that's another issue-- I'd guess they're doing this so as not to have to irradiate (e.g., it's cheaper, and some people go nuts when you say "radiation").
Between the two, of this or irradiation, I would take the irradiation no question. The problem with using the virus is that I'm not sure they're doing anything to kill it after it's been used, or if they're using attenuated (weakened) virus, or what, so you might end up eating some live virus. If that happens, *probably* nothing will happen, as most people do not carry Listeria in their intestines, BUT... you cannot predict what will happen with a biological organism long-term, whereas you can predict with irradiation what the effect is on the meat, and the person who consumes it. (The meat itself does not turn radioactive as a function of being irradiated.)
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - Racer X - 08-19-2006
This sounded ominous
"The viruses are grown in a preparation of the very bacteria they kill, and then purified. The FDA had concerns that the virus preparation potentially could contain toxic residues associated with the bacteria. However, testing did not reveal the presence of such residues, which in small quantities likely wouldn't cause health problems anyway, the FDA said."
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - PeterB - 08-19-2006
Racer X, that's one concern. Another concern is that a good virologist will tell you that it can be difficult to make a viral preparation which is really absolutely pure-- that is, you often get copurified viruses. This means that when adding the Listeria bacteriophage, you might end up also getting some other viruses in there too... and depending on what these viruses are, that could be trouble. I still think it would probably not be a bad idea for them to inactivate the virus post-treatment; the problem is that to inactivate the virus, you would treat the meat in a way which probably would have killed the bacteria anyway even without the virus (heat, pressure, bleach, etc.) and which will also likely affect the meat itself -- obviously, heat and pressure will result in a nice stew!
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - Racer X - 08-19-2006
Mmmmm. stewed bologna.
Re: "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety" - MacMagus - 08-19-2006
> Between the two, of this or irradiation, I would take the irradiation no question.
Ditto.
And given the steep decline in the qality of the local produce, I'd take irradiated foods over the current status quo as well.
Irradiated strawberries! Mmmmmm! And fresh for months!